Is Masonry Deteriorating.

IS MASONRY DETERIORATING .

FROM THE "F REEMASONS REPOSITORY . " DEFINITIONS aro always called for as preparatory to tho comprehensive discussion of any important subject . It is essential , therefore , in order to givo an intelligent response to the question placed afc the head of this article , that first of all we decide what this word Masonry shall be taken to mean and include ; for it is subject

to ft variety of uses , and may be limited or extended according to what is thought of individual minds . If by Masonry nothing more is intended than reference to the system which bears that name , we shall find it an easy task to make a satisfactory response to tho question proposed . Masonic principles and tenets have not deteriorated —aro not deteriorating . The distinguishing troths of tho Masonic system retain their primitive quality ; and , probably , these truths

were never better understood or more clearly marked out than at the present time . Brotherly love , relief and truth stand now for just what they did one hundred years ago , and have the same clearly understood bearing upon human character and condnct . And so of all the graces and virtues—tho precepts and teachings—which attach to the system , they havo not been changed in their import , nor havo they faded away into indistinctness . Nothing of great principle or abstract truth has been eliminated from tho system which the fathers

framed so wisely and well . Bnt suppose wo make tho term Masonry apply chiefly to the ceremonial and the technical work by which its instructions are communicated and its bonds of obligation fostered—has there been deterioration in this respect ? According to our thought it appears far otherwise . The representation of Masonry in all its varied forms

of ceremonial unfolding is much more carefully attended to now than at any former period . Lodges for the most part are better situated , have more abnndanfc resources , and are able to illustrate more accurately and impressively the lessons sought to be communicated . The administration of affairs is generally in able hands , stupidity does not often wield the gavel , and greater care is

taken than formerly was the case to have everything dono decently and in order . Music and other helps have been called in to render the conferring of the degrees more impressive , and to illustrate and enforce the sublime lessons of the Royal Art . Masonry is not deteriorating in the manner of its presentation to the candidate , nor in anything that has to do with its ceremonial unfolding or technical

work . Masonry may be taken , however , to mean an Institution , no less than a system , and the question may be asked whether , as an organisation , it is not deteriorating ? It is not ; losing ground outwardlythis much is certain . The vitality of the Institution does not seem to be impaired . Nevertheless it is more than hinted in some quarters that a serious deterioration is all the time going on in the organized

life of Masonry . The charge is , that while the Masonry of to-day avows the same principles and purposes , formulates the same code , administers the same ceremonial that ifc did a generation or a century ago , the heart has gone out of the Institution , or at least beats feebly , and so ifc is said Masonry does not now fulfil its mission to mould and bless the higher nature of its members , and to accomplish

a great work of beneficence in the world . Every day we are pointed to the want of friendliness and charity among brethren—to the selfish and base uses to which some seek to pervert the Institutionto the neglect of moral and benevolent work on the part of both Lodges and individual members of the Craft , and we aro told that these are evidences which show a lowering of the standard which the

fathers set up , a falling away from that exalted position which Masonry once maintained . We cannot close our eyes to these blemishes and shortcomings—and to the dangers to which the Masonic organisation is always liable because of the base material that is mixed with the pure gold in its composition . Ifc by no means follows , however , that these limitations and imperfections of the

Order have suddenly grown into such magnitude as to become the signs of a great present deterioration and a quick coming death . There have always been selfish men and Masons , and there always will be while human nature is moulded of common clay . The Apostle reminded his fellow Christians that there were " spots on their feasts of charity ; " and in the church , as in every other organisation , there

have always been manifest the manifold tokens of an imperfect condition . Ifc is a matter of regret that there are so many Masons in name who are not Masons in fact—thafc there are so many stupid and careless members of the Fraternity—so many mean and sordid souls whose only regard for the Tnstitntion depends upon their being able to use its power for selfish ends . Ifc is likewise a cause of " regret

thafc the beneficent ministry of Masonry is not more largely exercised that more and better work for love ' s sake and for humanity ' s sake is not done in its name and under its auspices . We may remember , however , that there has always been occasion for regrets such as these , for the work of Masonry has never realized the grand ideal of the best minds within its lines .

Looking the whole field over , we come then to this conclusion : the best Masonry tbe world has ever known is that of these latter days . The Masonic heritage received out of the past has been greatly added to as years have gone by , and its blessings and helps have come to be much better understood than was the case a hundred years ago . Masonry is not deteriorating , its influence was never so great as now , its purposes were never more noble and glorious , its work was never

more helpful to the mental , moral and social nature of its faithful members , nor did the streams of its practical benefactions ever run broader or more freely than in these closine * years of the nineteenth century . Masonry is not deteriorating either in form or substancein outward manifestation or inner life . Its hold of the imperishable truths of God and heaven was never firmer than now , and ifc was never better prepared to illustrate and enforce these truths for the edification of its own membership and for the good of the world .

Is Masonry Deteriorating.

MASONIC LECTURE . —Mr . S . Russell Forbes ( son of the late Mr . Sam . D . Forbes , of I ' ortsea ) , has returned to this country from a successful lecturing tour in the United States . We take the following from fho Newport Journal , of 13 th November : — " At tho invitation of the St . Paul ' s Lodge , Mr . S . Russell Forbes , of Rome , delivered his highly interesting and instructive lecture on tho " Traces of Masonry

amongst the Romnu Antiquities , " on Tuesday evening , 13 th Nov . A good number of tho Masous of Newport and its vicinity responded to the invitation of St . Paul ' s Lodge , and tho hall was crowded . The Worshipful Master , XV . II . Cotton , opened tho Lodge to tho third degree , in his usual impressive manner , and then introduced Mr . Forbes to the assembled members of the Craft . The lecturer referred to his

long residence in Rome , and to the excavations of the ancient buildings ; to his own discoveries there , and called attention to tho shape of tho city of Rome and its builders , the material employed , and how it was used . He then dwelt upon tlie marks found on the old walls , drawings of which wore handed round for thoiuspection of tho brethren . He showed the traces of Masonry from the earliest times down to tho

building of Rome B . C . 753 , and then traced ifc through the Eepablicaii , Imperial , and Mediteval periods to the present day . Ho showed , in a clear and concise way , the connection between speculative and operative Masonry , and the object of tho Masons' marks . Photographs and drawings of ancient subjects wero passed round , which had peculiar

interest and told distinctly their story . The lecture was listened to with extreme attention , and at its close Mr . Forbes invited discussion opon his locturo , and answered many questions put to him by the Lodge . A unanimous vote of thanks was given him , aud many brcihr « -n expressed to him personally tho pleasure and profit thoy had gained by his lecture . —Portsmouth Times .

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